September 13, 2023 – Intelsat again chooses Arianespace to deliver next generation system IS-45 delivering Ku- band fixed-satellite services. Intelsat IS-45 is the 67th satellite to be launched by Arianespace to the benefit of longtime customer Intelsat (since 1983). Arianespace today announced a contract with Intelsat to launch the IS-45 payload with Ariane 6. IS-45 will fly aboard an Ariane 6 (in its heavy version Ariane 64, shared with co-passengers). The launch target is first half of 2026. This year marks the fourth decade since Arianespace began its storied relationship with Intelsat. Arianespace launched Intelsat 507 aboard an Ariane 1 from French Guiana in October 1983, initiating a partnership that has stood the test of time, and five different variants of the Ariane rocket. IS-45 will be the third Intelsat payload awarded to Ariane 6 after IS-41 and IS-44. IS-45 weighs about 1 metric ton at launch and is designed and built by SWISSto12, based on the company’s innovative HummingSat platform.